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^B     ANDERSON 

ARIZONA  AS  A 
HEALTH  RESORT 

BANCROFT 


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M^ettl  J^^scirt. 


BY  C.  L.  G.  ANDERSON,  M.  D., 

LATE  ASSISTANT  SURGEON,  U.  S.  ARMY. 


Read  at  the  second  meeting  of  the  Washington  Gounty  Medical  Society^  Hagerstowii^ 

Md.,  April  9,  1890. 


mi 


/^rizopa  35  a  J^ealtl7  l^e$ort. 


The  purport  of  this  paper  is  to  call  the  attention  of  the  medical  profession 
to  the  super  eminent  advantages  which  Arizona  offers  as  a  health-resort. 
Arizona  is  situated  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  United  States,  between 
the  81st  and  37th  degree  of  latitude,  and  extends  from  the  109th  degree  of  lon- 
gitude westward  to  the  Colorado,  representing  an  area  of  114,000  square  miles. 

It  is  located  between  the  convergence  of  the  Sierra  Nevada  and  Rocky 
Mountain  ranges,  and  forms  the  larger  portion  of  the  southern  extremity  of 
the  arid  belt  in  the  United  States.  The  territory  presents  evidences  of  all  the 
agencies  of  nature.  Fire  and  water,  convulsion  and  erosion,  upheaval  and  de- 
pression, have  left  their  impress  upon  the  face  of  the  country. 

Arizona  is  surrounded  by  regions  equally  waterless.  The  proximity  of  the 
Pacific  would  indicate  considerable  moisture,  but  most  of  the  humidity  from 
that  source  is  precipitated  upon  the  western  slope  of  the  Sierra  Madre  Moun- 
tains, in  Southern  California,  and  what  little  gets  over  them  is  disseminated  by 
the  burning  sands  of  the  Mojave  and  Yuma  deserts  before  reaching  the  terri- 
tory. The  loss  of  the  humidity  is  compensated  for  by  the  protection  from  the 
fogs  and  winds  of  the  California  coast. 

Our  condition  of  health  or  unhealth  depends  more  upon  the  state  of  the 
atmosphere  than  is  generally  recognized,  I  believe  that  the  climate  of  Arizona 
presents  every  degree  of  elevation,  temperature  and  humidity  necessary  for 
restoration  and  maintenance  of  health.  This  claim  may  not  appear  so  over- 
drawn if  you  recall  the  fact  that  the  territory  is  fourteen  times  as  large  as  the 
State  of  New  Jersey.  Let  us  indicate  some  of  the  diseases  benefitted  by  cli- 
mate, and  see  if  we  cannot  find  antidotal  conditions  for  most  of  this  class  of 
ailments  within  the  confines  of  Arizona.  Probably  all  the  bodily  functions  are 
modified  to  a  greater  or  lesser  extent  by  the  different  factors  which  enter  into 
the  formation  of  climate,  and,  as  disease  is  but  a  perversion  of  function,  it  fol- 
lows that  it  must  also  be  affected  thereby.  But  it  is  mainly  for  diseases  of  the 
air-passages  that  we  order  a  change  of  climate.  Many  of  the  numerous  neuro- 
ses may  be  cured  or  alleviated  by  finding  harmonious  surroundings.  Some 
heart  troubles  are  also  much  benefitted  by  proper  climate.  Many  renal  disor- 
ders could  be  treated  to  greater  advantage  if  we  could  place  the  patient  under 
atmospheric  conditions  where  the  burden  of  the  excretion  of  water  and  salts 
was  thrown  upon  other  organs. 

In  that  large  class  of  diseases  where  more  than  one  organ  is  involved — as 
the  heart,  lungs,  and  kidneys — a  climate  may  be  found  which  would  produce  a 
compensation  and  partial  interchange  of  functions. 

In  the  present  unformulated  state  of  climatological  therapeutics,  it  is  to 
phthisis  alone  to  which  we  refer  when  we  speak  of  climatic  treatment,  and  it  is 
the  disease  particularly  in  question  in  this  communication.  A  fitting  climate 
does  more  good  in  this  disease  than  all  other  treatment  combined,,  perhaps 
producing  in  some  cases  a  cure. 

Imperial  in  extent,  it  is  impossible  to  generalize  about  Arizona,  so  we  will 
treat  our  subject  under  several  heads.  Arizona,  like  all  Gaul,  may  be  divided 
into  three  parts  : 

I.  A  mountain  portion. 
II.  A  valley  portion. 

IIL  A  plateau  portion. 


Y  )   ,  i 

This  corresponds  to  the  appropriate  classification  of  tlije  Mexican  regions 
made  by  Hernando  Cortes,  into  tierrafria,  tierra  caUente,  and  tien^a  templada — 
cold,  warm,  and  temperate  regions. 

I.  The  mountain  portion  is  composed  of  isolated  mountain  masses,  arising 
principally  from  the  plateau,  representing  an  elevation  of  eight  thousand  feet 
and  upward,  and  may  be  dismissed  from  our  consideration,  as  the  conditions 
of  rarefaction  and  cold  are  not  usually  desirable. 

II.  The  Colorado  River  drains  the  whole  of  Arizona,  and  the  general  trend 
of  the  drainage  is  toward  Yuma,  in  the  southwestern  corner  of  the  territory. 
This  being  its  lowest  point,  we  will  enter  the  territory  here  and  follow  the 
natural  rise  of  the  land  upward. 

The  town  of  Yuma  is  situated  just  below  the  confluence  of  the  Colorado 
and  Gila  Rivers.     Here 

"Vei'tical.  the  sun 
Darts  on  the  head  direct  his  forceful  rays, 

And  Cancer  reddens  with  the  solar  blaze." 

If  it  is  your  fortune  to  reach  the  place  in  July,  with  the  temperature  113°  F. 
in  your  stuffy  sleeper  at  midnight,  you  will  surely  sympathize  with  the  poor  sol- 
dier who  died  here  and  met  with  such  a  cool  reception  in  the  other  world,  and 
appreciate  the  appropriateness  of  the  designation  c.alida  fornix— fiery  furnace 
— applied  to  this  region  by  Cortes  and  his  companions. 

Yuma  is  about  one  hundred  and  seventy-five  feet  above  the  sea,  with  a 
total  annual  precipitation  of  but  a  few  inches.  Nevertheless,  for  eiglit  months 
in  the  year  the  place  is  inviting  enough  if  you  want  a  warm,  dry  climate,  near 
the  sea-level.  However,  the  valley  portion  (which  comprises  the  southern  half 
of  the  territory)  has  a  much  higher  elevation,  the  general  average  being  about 
two  thousand  feet.  Phoenix  (1,200  ft ),  Fort  McDowell  (1,800  ft.),  and  Fort 
Lowell,  near  Tucson  (2,500  ft.),  we  will  select  as  typical  locations.  The  meteo- 
rological reports  from  these  stations  indicate  an  annual  range  of  temperature 
of  from  30°  to  110°,  with  a  j^early  mean  of  68°.  The  total  rainfall  of  the  valley 
portion  is  about  eiL'-ht  inches. 

Snow  never  falls  here.  The  soil  is  sandy  and  holds  no  moisture,  bui  art3- 
sian  borings  will  reach  water  in  most  of  the  valleys.  Natural  vegetation,  ex- 
cept along  the  water-courses,  is  scanty  and  that  of  the  desert ;  but  whore 
irrigation  is  applied,  almost  anything,  from   oranges  to    wheat,  can  be  raised. 

It  is  the  land  of  sunshine,  fruits,  and  flowers,  and  the  home  of  the  cacti. 
Geraniums  become  tree-like,  and  heliotropes  clamber  like  grape-vines.  Cattle 
breed  all  the  year.  Centenarians  are  comparatively  common  among  the  Mexi- 
cans and  Indians.  I  have  seen  gray-headed  squaws  whose  identity  was  ob- 
scured by  as  many  wrinkles  as  Haggard's  "  She  " 

The  air  is  nearly  free  from  organic  matter,  and  the  few  microbes  present 
are  rendered  inert  by  the  lack  of  moisture.  The  whole  makes  up  a  warm,  dry 
climate,  of  moderate  elevation.  It  is  the  best  winter  home  for  phthisis  that  I 
know  of.  For  those  whose  hearts  or  nervous  tension  cannot  stand  a  higher 
altitude,  it  is  best  the  whole  year 

Throughout  the  country  are  mineral  and  mud  springs  which  have  a  local 
reputation  for  possessing  curative  properties. 

Southern  Arizona  is  the  land  of  "Manana,"  where  one  can  lead  a  doLce  fur 
jiiente  existence  and  not  care  whether  school  keeps  or  not. 

"  What  men  call  gallantry,  and  the  gods  adultery,"  is  not  common  because 
the  climate  is  not  sultry.  It  is  a  haven  of  rest  for  the  society  belle  and  the 
Wall  Street  man  who  have  been  living  on  their  nerves.  The  one,  in  her  ham- 
mock under  the  palms,  will  soon  learn  to  handle  her  fan  and  mantilla  with  the 
indolent  grace  of  a  true  Henorita  ;  whiU  the  latter  will  smoke  his  rigarro  by  the 


murmuring  acequia  and  dream  of  the  days  when  the  fat  padres  ruled  the  land, 
while  the  slaving  peons  tilled  the  maize  and  carried  in  the  gold  from  the  moun- 
tains. 

The  three  or  four  summer  months  are  warm,  it  is  true,  occasionally  reach- 
ing 118°  or  120°  F.,  but  in  spite  of  the  temperature,  sunstrokes  are  unknown. 
The  temperature  rises  so  high  that  the  moisture  is  not  able  to  keep  up  with  it, 
thereby  reducing  the  relative  humidity  and  making  the  heat  less  intolerable 
and  depressing  than  it  oflen  is  in  our  Eastern  cities 

Everybody  sleeps  out-doors  during  the  hottest  weather,  and  the  therrnom- 
eter  usually  falls  enough  at  nitrht  to  make  sleep  refreshing.  A  mosquito  net- 
ting is  generally  sufficient  covering,  and  if  you  sprinkle  it  well  before  using 
you  will  probably  get  through  the  night  very  comfortably. 

III.  Let  us  now  ascend  to  the  plateau  region,  which  is  north  of  the  34th 
parallel,  and,  roughly  speaking,  makes  up  the  northern  half  of  the  territory. 
The  altitude  varies  from  five  thousand  feet  to  seven  thousand  feet.  The  ascent 
from  the  valleys  is  gradual  at  some  places  ;  at  others,  abrupt,  giving  at  certain 
seasons  Switzerland  and  the  Riviera  within  a  few  hours  travel  on  horseback. 
As  we  rise  the  air  becomes  cooler,  and  the  cacti  and  mesquite  are  replaced  by 
juniper  and  pines.  Griiss  and  other  vegetation  is  more  abundant.  The  pulse 
and  respiration  are  increased,  and  the  lips  become  dry.  There  will  generally 
be  a  little  systematic  disturbance  at  first,  upon  reaching  an  elevation  of  six 
thousand  feet,  but  when  one  has  become  accustomed  to  the  new  environment 
he  will  (comprehend  the  pleasure  of  mere  living  The  appetite  is  increased, 
and  sleep  is  oblivion  To  pass  one's  entire  existence  in  the  effete  East  is  to 
miss  something  good  in  life,  and  to  finally  die  of  crowd-poison.  Northern 
Arizona  is  a  general  table-land  from  which  the  mountains  arise  in  separate, 
circumscribed  masses.  The  country  is  fairly  well  timbered,  and  the  grass  is  at 
times  abundant.  The  drainage  of  the  naturally  porous  soil  is  enhanced  by  the 
valleys  on  one  side,  and  the  Grand  Canon  on  the  other  Indeed,  so  perfect  is 
it,  that  water  cannot  be  rea(^hed  by  means  of  wells. 

The  air  is  bright  and  exhilarating,  and  the  sun  shines  nearly  every  day  in 
the  year.     'I'he  atmosphere  is  so  clear  and  impalpable  that  at  night 

"  The  heavens  seem  as  near  as  our  own  mother's  face  is, 
And  we  think  we  could  touch  all  the  stars  that  we  see." 

Whipple  Barracks  (Prescott)  and  Fort  Apache  are  both  at  an  elevation  of 
about  six  thousand  feet  The  records  of  the  post  hospitals  at  these  posts  show 
that  the  annual  range  of  temperature  is  from  10°  to  90°,  and  that  the  mean  is 
53°  F.  The  annual  precipitation  will  average  sixteen  inches.  There  are  no 
well  defined  wet  and  dry  seasons.  The  heavy  rains  occur  monthly  in  the 
winter,  and  the  showers  in  the  early  summer. 

Snow  falls  during  the  winter.  It  does  not  lie  long  on  the  open  country, 
but  will  last  a  long:  time  in  the  shade.  The  plateau  is  almost  free  from  the 
wind  and  sand  storms  of  the  highlands  of  Colorado. 

The  researches  of  Schwann,  Budd,  Pasteur,  Lister,  Tyndall,  Koch  and 
numerous  others,  have  demonstrated  that,  at  ordinary  levels,  the  air  is  full  of 
floating  matter,  that  this  matter  is  mainly  organic,  and  that  many  of  these 
organisms  are  the  cause  of,  or  intimately  associated  with,  disease.  It  has  also 
been  shown  that  at  an  elevation  of  six  thousand  feet  bacteria  are  practically 
absent.  Furthermore,  experiments  in  germ-culture  teach  us  that  they  require 
a  considerable  degree  of  heat  and  moisture  for  their  development  and  propa- 
gation. Now,  in  Northern  Arizona  the  conditions  are  all  unfavorable.  The 
coolness,  the  low  degree  of  humidity,  and  the  high  percentage  of  ozone  make 
up  an  atmosphere  extremely  inimical  to  bacterial  life. 

The  efficacy  of  rarefaction  in  some  diseases  is  so  well  established  that  we 


construct  ingenious  cabinets  to  relieve  the  pressure  of  gravity ;  here  we  lind 
nature  doing  it,  and  as  in  everything  else,  better  than  man  can  do.  We  bottle 
up  oxygen  and  dole  it  out  to  our  patients  a  few  minutes  a  day ;  here  they  can 
bathe  in  it  the  whole  year  long.  In  fact,  the  air  is  a  real  aseptic  and  antimi- 
crobic  fluid  freely  invading  and  preserving  every  accessible  part  of  the  person. 
The  general  mortality  is  less,  wounds  heal  by  immediate  union  without  a  dress- 
ing, and  the  bodies  of  dead  cattle  literally  dry  up  and  blow  away.  I  never  met 
a  case  of  phthisis  in  an  old  settler,  and  it  is  well  known  that  tuberculosis  is 
very  rare  among  the  Indians  and  Mexicans.  It  is  always  warm  in  the  sunlight, 
even  during  the  coldest  days  of  winter. 

Although  the  equability  of  temperature  is  not  so  great  as  in  the  valleys, 
the  fall  after  sunset  is  more  conducive  to  refreshing  sleep,  and  gives  a  tonuH 
which  one  does  not  get  in  the  valleys. 

As  the  low  degree  of  humidity  causes  the  heat  in  the  valley  portion  to  be 
supportable,  so  the  same  absence  of  moisture  makes  the  cold  less  intense  on 
the  plateau.  Perspiration  does  not  collect  upon  the  surface,  thereby  eliminat- 
ing that  ever  present  danger  of  "  catching  cold,"  which  is  the  basis  of  so  many 
diseases  and  retards  treatment  so  much. 

Bleeders  have  no  business  here,  as  there  is  a  tendency  to  heuiorrhage  from 
the  mucous  membranes.  High  strung,  nervous  persons  cannot  stand  the  stim- 
ulating atmosphere.  Women,  on  account  of  their  finer  nervous  organization, 
are  liable  to  neuralgia  and  insomnia.  They  are  apt  to  suffer  from  dysmenor- 
rh(Ba  and  ovarian  pain. 

Of  course,  if  a  patient  is  in  the  last  stage  of  tubercular  phthisis  his  place 
is  at  home.  Cases  not  so  far  advanced,  but  in  whom  there  is  not  enough  lung- 
tissue  left  to  breathe  at  this  altitude,  should  be  advised  to  seek  the  valleys. 
But  the  ordinary  cases  of  consumption,  which  we  usually  see  in  the  first  stage, 
can  be  sent  direct  to  Northern  Arizona.  If  the  general  healih  is  robust,  if  there 
is  no  laryngeal  or  bronchial  irritability,  and  if  the  heart  is  equal  to  the  added 
strain,  these  primary  cases  can  remain  on  the  plateau  all  the  time  The  aver- 
age case,  however,  will  do  best  by  passing  the  three  or  four  winter  months  in 
the  valleys. 

It  is  almost  impossible  to  designate  the  exact  points  for  each  patient. 
Primary  cases  should  be  sent  to  Northern  Arizona,  and  those  further  advanced 
to  Southern  Arizona,  and  all  directed  to  seek  the  most  favorable  places  after 
getting  there. 

The  entire  length  of  the  plateau  is  crossed  by  the  Atlantic  and  Pacific 
Railroad,  while  Southern  Arizona  is  traversed  by  the  Southern  Pacific  Pail- 
road.  Prescott,  the  capital  of  the  territory,  is  the  gem  of  the  norihern  climatic 
zone,  and  Phoenix  and  Tucson  are  rival  queens  of  the  valley  portion.  These 
are  good  objective  points,  and  all  are  reached  by  rail.  Throughout  the  territory 
the  accommodations  for  the  entertainment  of  invalids  are  not  so  grand  as  in 
some  other  parts  of  the  West,  but,  I  believe,  more  desirable  on  tha.t  account. 
There  are  no  mammoth  hotels  with  their  thousand  guests  and  gilded  cesspools. 

If  one  can  live  on  a  ranch,  or  pass  most  of  his  time  in  the  saddle,  so  much 
the  better.  Its  remarkable  formation  and  natural  wonders,  its  ancient  and 
mysterious  history,  and  its  superior  climate,  appeal  to  and  stimulate  every 
element  of  our  nature,  and  make  Arizona  unexcelled  as  a  health-resort  for  cer- 
tain classes  of  disease. 


